Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple Basara

Getting there

• By air

  Hyderabad is the nearest airport.

• By train

  Basar (BSX) is the nearest railway station, about 2.4 km from the temple.

• By road

  TSRTC district buses serve the temple, and MSRTC buses run from Hyderabad and Nanded.

Why devotees come here

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple stands on the Godavari riverbank at Basara in Nirmal district, Telangana. It is one of two famous Saraswati temples in the Indian subcontinent, and many pilgrims bring young children here before they start school.

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple is counted among the two well known Saraswati shrines of the subcontinent. Sharada Peeth is the other one. The temple is dedicated to Saraswati, on the banks of the Godavari at Basara.

Legend ties the place to Maharishi Vyasa, who is said to have spent long hours in prayer here. The spot was first called Vasara for that reason, and the name changed to Basara under the influence of the Marathi language in this region.

Historically, Bijialudu, a king who ruled Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital, is credited with building the temple in the sixth century. The idols were later damaged by Muslim invaders, and a chieftain of Nandagiri had them reinstated in the 17th century.

Festivals

• 15 days before Vasantha Panchami to 3 days after the festivalMaha Shivaratri

  Special poojas and celebrations are held at the temple during this period.

• Ten days during DasaraDevi Navarathrulu

  The festival is celebrated for ten days.

Tips for your visit

• Dharmabad is 15.5 km away and Bhainsa about 30 km, both much closer than Hyderabad at 205 km.
• Nanded is 96 km from the temple, and MSRTC buses run from there too.
• Nizamabad is 34.8 km from the temple, a shorter trip than the 70 km to Nirmal town.

Questions people ask